Pages

12.3.11

Vanity (vanitas) (vaidade)

The Latin word “vanitas” means “empty”. That’s why it is connected to the idea of insignificance and vanity of earthly life. In the Bible (Ecclesiastes 1:2) there’s the expression “vanity of vanities! All is vanity”. This type of work of art is included in the style “still life”. In the 16th century it was associated with “Ars moriendi”, “Memento mori” and “Dance of Death”, which included skulls.